Trade Fair 2000 
To Be Held In Lubbock, TX

by Bill Cherry
January, 2000

During the period, June 7-10, several hundred windmill enthusiasts will gather in Lubbock, Texas, for the 12th annual International Windmillers' Trade Fair. Lubbock was selected as the site for this year's trade fair by popular vote at the 10th annual trade fair, held in Shattuck, Oklahoma. This year's event is being billed as the "Millennium Event" and is being hosted by the American Wind Power Center, one of the largest collections and displays, in the world, of the "American" style of windmills. Additional information on Trade Fair 2000 can be found at this found at this Trade Fair 2000 link..

Origin of the Trade Fairs…

The International Windmillers' Trade Fair organization and the trade fairs originated in Portales, New Mexico in the 80s. Local residents Bill & Alta Dalley had begun the process of collecting and restoring the many types of American windmills to be found in various states of decay in the local area. Through this process, the Dalleys got in touch with several other collectors, and also with T. Lindsay Baker, the author of several books, and a noted authority on the subject of windmills. As most of the windmills in this category were no longer made, the discussions led to the possibility of having an annual fair, where collectors could buy, sell & trade the parts that they needed to restore the windmills to their original state. This discussion led to the organization and convening of the 1st trade fair in Portales, New Mexico in 1989. The Dalley's hosted the first three trade fairs (1989, 1990, 1991) in Portales.

	[28K][56K][128K]	Play a Short Video About The Origin of the International Windmillers' Trade Fair
	[28K][56K][128K]

Locations of the Trade Fairs…

After the initial three trade fairs in Portales, the organization had grown to the point that additional members could host the trade fair, with the location moving to the host cities. Since the start, the trade fair has moved to other locations within North America, and will continue to move as future locations are selected. The hosts contending for a given trade fair make presentations during the business meeting, followed by voting by the general membership. Locations are selected two years in advance to allow for the extensive preparations usually required. Below is a summary of the trade fair locations to date and future locations that are known.

• 1989 - Portales, New Mexico, USA

• 1990 - Portales, New Mexico, USA

• 1991 - Portales, New Mexico, USA- 

• 1992 - Lamar, Colorado, USA

• 1993 - Lamar, Colorado, USA

• 1994 - Kendallville, Indiana, USA

• 1995 - Etzikom, Alberta, Canada

• 1996 - Batavia, Illinois, USA

• 1997 - Lamar, Colorado, USA

• 1998 - Shattuck, Oklahoma, USA

• 1999 - Fort Dodge, Iowa, USA

• 2000 - Lubbock, Texas, USA

• 2001 - Comstock, Nebraska, USA

• 2002 - To be voted on in Lubbock, this year

What Happens at a Trade Fair…

BUY - SELL - TRADE - As the trade fair name might imply, the main activity is that of buying, selling, and trading the many parts, mills, associated equipments, literature, and other pieces needed to collect and restore this style of windmill. Many members bring trailer or truck loads of extra parts, complete mills, recast parts, wood pieces, and associated equipment, to the trade fair. Usually the main trading fair is located outside adjacent to the meeting buildings, with the traders set up in a traditional fair arrangement. Vendors needing cover or having small or associated items for sale can obtain space inside the fair buildings for their wares.

SOCIAL EVENTS - To supplement the tremendous fun of the trading activity, several social functions are held in the afternoon and evening periods. These activities have included ice cream socials, chuck wagon breakfasts, bar-b-que cook outs, and dinners. Usually the windmillers are entertained at these events by musicians, bands, or other local entertainers. This is the time for windmillers to get acquainted, talk about subjects of mutual interest, and just enjoy their hobby and their fellow members. Some of these activities are also open to the public.

LOCAL SIGHTS - An opportunity is usually provided for tours of the local sights and attractions. These have been well attended and enjoyed in the past. The tours have included large windmill collections, private museums, local area attractions, and need not be specific to the windmill interest. Planned for this year's trade fair are tours of the Ranching Heritage Center, the Buddy Holley Museum, and the Breedlove Dehydration Plant. Here are some examples of past tours and visits.

MEETINGS - In addition, meetings are held during the trade fair to conduct the business of the organization and to make the selection for future trade fair locations. These usually consist of of an opening meeting on the first day of the trade fair and a concluding business meeting during the evening dinner of the last night.

PACK UP - After all the fun is concluded and tons of rusty iron have changed hands, the windmillers pack up and head home to await next year's trade fair. Hopefully, the weight of all of this rusty iron has been evenly distributed once again; so that the balance of the earth is not disturbed.

We hope to see you at TRADEFAIR2000, the Millennium Event.